A "Birth" Day Story : A Mother and Father's Lifeline Through Prayer

We had just celebrated Memorial Day by having a picnic in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco and enjoying the lovely weather. We were 7 months pregnant with our first child in what appeared to be a "normal" pregnancy. Despite having several previous miscarriages, this pregnancy appeared to be okay.

Later in the week I began to not feel good, but continued to go to work despite feeling under the weather. By the weekend, I was worried that something was wrong with the pregnancy and called the doctor, explained my symptoms and was reassured that I simply had "a flu bug". With my previous history in mind, I continued to feel worried throughout Saturday.

Hospital in San Francisco.

 By Sunday morning I was more concerned and called the doctor's office again - only to be told to come in on Monday to get checked out. A short time later, Derrall and I felt a strong impression to call the doctor again and insist on being seen on Sunday. To appease us they asked us to go to the hospital where our doctor was on call and he would check me out.


We arrived at the hospital shortly after 7:00 am and were taken into an exam room where I was checked out by the nurse. We immediately knew something was not right since the nurse quickly left but said she would be right back.

Immediately thereafter the room was filled with all sorts of medical professionals, an IV was started, papers were signed and many questions were asked. I was so overwhelmed that I didn't immediately understand what was happening. I still had 10 weeks left in my pregnancy and just wanted them to tell me why I didn't feel good. The doctor then explained that I was dilated to 7 cm and that there was nothing they could do to stop the eminent delivery of our baby, but they could try and delay the birth for as long as possible.


I remember asking "what?" explain that again, I can't have our baby now he's too early. Immediately medications were administered, medical procedures were performed and many explanations were given as to what would probably be wrong with our baby born 10 weeks premature. I remember saying a silent prayer asking Heavenly Father for a calmness within me as the realization set in that our baby was going to be born too early, with a chance of not surviving the birth itself.

Newborn.

Within a short period of time it became apparent that they were not even going to be able to delay the birth and began preparing me for delivery. A team from the NICU was present with the medical equipment necessary to resuscitate our baby if needed. At 9:08 am on June 2, 1991, Zachary Kenneth Nuttall was born weighing only 3 lbs 10 ozs and measuring 15 inches long (or short!). I remember thanking Heavenly Father for the beautiful cry that we heard immediately following his birth. What a blessing that he could breathe on his own.

The respirator is almost bigger then my head - Don't think much has changed since then.

Sleeping to music.  1 Week Old

He was immediately taken to the NICU where many medical procedures were performed for his well being. Shortly after his birth some good friends of ours arrived for our support, surprised that I had already given birth. Derrall and Gordon immediately left for the NICU to give Zach a blessing of health and strength as can only be given by those holding the priesthood.

Parents: Derrall and Shauna. 1 Week Old

Quite the binky! Two Weeks Old

Throughout the next immediate hours and days, many prayers were offered on Zach's behalf by our extended family and friends around the country. We felt each and every one of these prayers as we were front row witnesses to one of God's many miracles. Despite sometimes forgetting to breath on his own and a low heart rate as a result, Zach was a "normal" healthy baby boy. We were warned that he would most likely have a mental incapacity, possibly be blind and face years, if not a lifetime, of medical problems.

Taking a nap. Three Weeks Old

Up and crawlin'. Four Weeks Old

What we received instead was a little boy with a strong fighting spirit - one who defied all the predication's made of his premature birth. Yes he did have to spend his first 7 weeks of life in the NICU and did have moments that medically gave the doctors and us much concern.

Despite that his little fighting spirit was very apparent to the doctors and nurses that administered to him. We told them throughout his stay that the priesthood blessings that he received were in fact a lifeline to his Heavenly Father and that the many prayers said on his behalf were heard by our loving Heavenly Father.

Can I go home now? 5 Weeks Old

We were indeed blessed by that fact that our prayers were answered exactly as we wanted them to be - to have a healthy baby. That is not always God's plan, sometimes our prayers are answered in ways that we may not see or understand and that may ultimately even challenge our faith.

Our strong faith in the power of prayer, our understanding of the Plan of Salvation, our Savior's sacrifice for us and the sealing power of the temple has provided us with the strength necessary to face the trials and challenges that our placed before us while on earth.